TCC is an incredible institution. I credit this to a shared passion we all have to see our students succeed. Our faculty members are key to this success and it is my desire to work with the faculty so we can continue to provide a quality education to our students.

The College has always fostered an atmosphere of support for our faculty. Although state funding for  colleges has decreased over the past several years, enrollment has declined and we have been unable to enact tuition increases, I have advocated strongly to maintain the same level of support. In fact, the base salary of our full-time faculty at TCC is the seventh highest among the 28 institutions within the Florida College System, and we offer an excellent comprehensive benefits package to all our full-time employees.

While I respect the right of our employees to unionize, faculty must recognize this is an important decision that could fundamentally change the culture of our campus. In a unionized environment, we will lose the flexibility we now have to address the unique needs of our faculty members, communications with administration will be limited and we will not be able to work together on an individual basis to resolve issues. This is not the type of relationship we have enjoyed through the decades. I am concerned that the College will not function as productively or efficiently if a union emerges.

The best way to move forward is together. The task force to examine faculty reassignments has been convened and will report back to the Board. In the meantime, as I pledged at the town hall meeting in April, I will be more accessible to faculty and staff, with town halls held in the fall and spring, regularly scheduled coffee conversations and more frequent classroom and office visits across campus. I consider my accessibility to faculty and staff a priority.

I also urge you to consider the costs of union membership, including dues, fees and assessments. While the union may make promises in order to obtain a vote, no such promises can be fulfilled unless the College agrees. It is important to note that a union cannot guarantee certain benefits or wages, or even that employees will continue to receive the same benefits they have today.

Please also be aware that it will be the majority of faculty members who actually cast a ballot, not the majority of faculty members, who will decide on unionization. Silence on this issue could result in something you do not necessarily want. When the vote occurs, please be sure to participate so that a minority does not make a decision for the majority.

In closing, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary and continue our Foundation’s campaign to support the College and student success, it’s never been more important than now for us to work together. I would like to continue to communicate and collaborate. If you have any concerns or questions that you would like to share on this issue, please do not hesitate to email me.

Jim